Jeonghan is nineteen when he wakes up with Seungcheol’s name etched on his skin. He doesn’t expect it, honestly, doesn’t even notice it’s there until he’s making the coffee, his eyes half shut with sleep, and Seungcheol comes from around Jeonghan, wrapping the younger boy in his arms as he laces their fingers together, bringing their interlocked hands up to his lips. Seungcheol presses a kiss to the back of Jeonghan’s wrist, his eyes bright.

            “See,” he whispers, “I told you it would happen.” His lips skim across the faint mark on Jeonghan’s skin, “I knew it was just a little late.”

            Neither of them mention that it’s a year late, because they both knew it would happen. It had to happen, because Seungcheol was walking around with the name Jeonghan on his wrist since before Jeonghan even turned eighteen, and so they had to be soulmates, because this was the way the world worked.

            It happens when you’re eighteen. You’ll feel a sharp, burning sting somewhere on your body, and that’s how you know you’ve been marked. The name of your soulmate will be etched on your skin, forever, and they’ll have your name in the exact same spot.

            Except it doesn’t always happen like that, and this is something that Jeonghan knows, but doesn’t let bother him. So when he’s done having breakfast, and Seungcheol is washing the dishes as he hums a happy song, Jeonghan lets his eyes wander to the newly formed mark on his skin.

            It’s not a big deal, he tells himself, it’s only a year late.

            It’s not like he’s doubting that Seungcheol is his soulmate, because he’s not. Honestly, he’s not. He loves Seungcheol with everything he has, and he’d do anything for him. Seungcheol makes him happy and he loves him but –

            His eyes scan the faint letters, and he doesn’t question why it’s not as bright, not as vibrant as the one Seungcheol carries on his wrist, and he smiles to himself, content to finally be like everyone else.

            And Jeonghan doesn’t know – can’t possibly know – that somewhere else, a boy with bright eyes and a timid smile has the name Jeonghan written in bright, vibrant print over his heart.